PUBLISHED 12/07/2005
Spence's Splendor
Elite runners have been using the "inverted" training approach since the 1980s, and Steve Spence (right) used it to become the top American marathoner of the early '90s. "After five marathons in which I was reduced to a walk late in the race, I began looking for another way," Spence says.
"In 1990, I was in fourth place at Boston at 23 miles and on 2:10 pace, but ended up 19th in 2:16. My agent sent me an article outlining [1988 Olympic Marathon champ] Gelindo Bordin's marathon-training regimen, which utilized Renato Canova's theories. I figured the plan would give me the endurance I needed, while sustaining speed as well." It worked. "My first race using this approach was the Columbus Marathon in 1990--a race that I won in my personal best of 2:12:17," says Spence. The breakthrough was followed by a bronze medal in the 1991 World Championships and a victory in the '92 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
